Self-Other Neural Representational Distinction is Associated with Distorted Social Predictions in Social Anxiety
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Background
Social anxiety (SA) is characterized by distorted negative expectations about the future. Because optimism bias is inherently comparative, the extent to which these predictions reflect a fundamental disruption in self- versus other-referential processing remains poorly understood.
Methods
Across two experiments, we investigated the mechanisms underlying social predictions in SA. In Experiment 1, individuals with high ( n = 52, LSAS > 65) and low SA ( n = 51, LSAS < 35) rated the future likelihood of positive and negative social outcomes for themselves or for a protagonist. In Experiment 2, 35 adults spanning a continuous spectrum of SA completed the task during fMRI. Behavior was analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. Neurally, multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) quantified self-other representational distinctions, while a parametric general linear model (GLM) tracked neural sensitivity to likelihood predictions.
Results
Behaviorally, higher SA was characterized by an attenuated optimism bias: individuals predicted a lower likelihood of positive outcomes, but a higher likelihood of negative outcomes, for themselves compared to others. Neurally, higher trait SA correlated with greater self-other representational distinction within the left pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC). Concurrently, the precuneus exhibited stronger parametric tracking of self-negative predictions versus others. Crucially, pgACC representational distinction during positive outcome processing significantly mediated the association between SA severity and heightened prediction-tracking in the precuneus.
Conclusions
These findings offer a novel mechanistic framework, suggesting that an exaggerated neural segregation of the self from others drives hyper-vigilant, risk-sensitive social predictions in SA. This candidate circuit-level dynamic warrants further replication in clinical cohorts.
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Self-Other Neural Representational Distinction is Associated with Distorted Social Predictions in Social Anxiety https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.29.762906v1
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Self-Other Neural Representational Distinction is Associated with Distorted Social Predictions in Social Anxiety https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.29.762906v1
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